INDIANAPOLIS - Columbia swimmers Katie Meili and Alena Kluge kicked-off their first day at the 2013 NCAA Swimming Championships on Thursday, March 21 at Indiana University Natatorium. The two teammates competed in the 200 IM with the preliminary sessions beginning at 11 a.m., followed by the finals at 7 p.m.

Meili has consistently ranked among the nation’s best throughout the season in the 200IM and entered the prelims with a seventh-place seed time of 1:55.09. The senior posted a championship finals qualifying time of 1:55.45 with a fifth place finish in the heat. Hitting the wall in a school and Ivy League record time of 1:54.72 for a finals seventh place finish, Meili earned first team All-America honors in her first of three events in the 2013 NCAA Championships.

On Friday March 22, Meili is set to compete in the highly anticipated 100 breast event. A two-time 100 breast Ivy League champion and current conference time record holder in the event, she will line up with a fourth-place seed time of 58.44.

In her inaugural action at the NCAA Championships, Kluge also had a solid showing in the 200 IM. The Toronto, Canada native finished with her third best career time of 2:00.07 for 47th place in the prelims.

The reigning 400 IM Ivy League champion will return to the pool tomorrow to compete in her best event. Her career best and Ivy League title winning time of 4:11.89 currently ranks 37th nationally.

Follow live coverage of the NCAA Championships with the links listed below.